REMARKS BY PRESIDENT CLINTON
AND ARGENTINE PRESIDENT MENEM
AT PRESS AVAILABILITY
East Room

1:50 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.
Today I have the great honor of welcoming President Carlos Menem of
Argentina to the White House, the first leader of a Latin American
state to visit here since I took office.

Under President Menem's administration, Argentina has
become an international leader on the great issues of the post-Cold
War era. A leader in this hemisphere in defense of democracy and
human rights, a trusted and valued partner and friend of the United
States, together we are constructing a Western Hemisphere community
of democracies, interpreted by common political values and growing
economic ties.

We deeply appreciate President Menem's visit today. He
represents a new generation of Latin American presidents committed to
expanding freedom, strengthening democracy and creating prosperity.
His leadership has been bold and his accomplishments truly
impressive.

We talked today about Argentina's democratic reforms and
the role Argentina has assumed as an international leader. Today,
Argentine troops serve with the United Nations peacekeepers in
Croatia, in Kuwait, in Mozambique, and in other troubled lands. In
the Organization of American States Argentina consistently takes a
strong stand in favor of collective defenses of democracy.

With Argentina's support, the OAS has worked to defend
democratic institutions in Peru, reverse the coup in Guatemala. And
I am confident, together we can restore democracy in Haiti, a subject
we discussed at great length today.

Argentina has also confronted crises of recession and
hyperinflation and has overcome both. Argentina slashed its tariffs
and opened its economy to world markets, it ended its fiscal deficit
and created a stable currency. It sold state enterprises and
attracted new investment. And, as a result, last year Argentina's
economy grew nine percent. I asked him for a few of those points for
America today. That was one of the unresolved parts of our
discussion. (Laughter.)

Once Congress successfully ratifies the North American
Free Trade Agreement with Mexico and with Canada, we will want to
reduce trade barriers with other countries in this hemisphere. Freer
trade for most economic and democratic reforms we see in Argentina.
It clearly benefits our economy as well as that of our neighbors.

As I said earlier today, in the last four years our
trade with Argentina has tripled, accounting for 40,000 jobs in the
United States.

Our meeting covered some other areas as well.
Argentina's government has been an important voice in calling for a
successful conclusion of the Uruguay Round to open the world trading
system. Argentina stands among the nations leading the effort to
confront the overriding challenge of stopping the spread of weapons
of mass destruction. President Menem himself ended a dangerous
ballistic missile program, signed important nuclear nonproliferation
agreements, placed strong controls on the export of sensitive
weapons-related materials and technology, and helped to lead the
successful international effort to negotiate the Chemical Weapons
Convention.

Argentina has been in the forefront of initiatives to
increase the dialogue on security issues in its region. Its progress
and support for democracy are two reasons why this hemisphere today
is more secure and more prosperous today than it was in the past and
why it will show the way to a better world tomorrow.

Again, let me say it is an honor for me to welcome the
President, whom I admire, whose accomplishments we respect, and whose
country will be a great partner for the United States in the years
ahead.

Mr. President.

PRESIDENT MENEM: Thank you very much, Mr. President. I
would like to tell you of my gratitude that is sincere and loyal in
the name of my country and of my government for your words. They are
the result of a complete knowledge of what is happening in Argentina,
in this continent, and in the world.

You may be absolutely sure that Argentina will continue
along this road. There is absolutely no possibility of any change in
Argentine policies in the field of economics and in the social
fields. I always say this is a road that we cannot walk backwards
on, and these are the results we are obtaining. If I would have to
explain here the achievements obtained, I would have to repeat the
same words that you have used, Mr. President, and this would not
perhaps be very much in order.

But we have talked in an environment of cordiality and
affection. We have discussed our relations that are now at their
best level ever. We are prepared to improve on them, and I have told
the President of the United States that in Argentina he will find a
firm and determined ally. And we consider the United States a great
ally for Argentina.

Within this framework we have discussed subjects that
are related to the consolidation of democracy and freedom, not only
within this continent; the issues related to Guatemala, Haiti, Cuba
and Peru. But we have also discussed the absolute need for
democracy, freedom, the respect of human rights, and all issues
related to the environment -- should become reality of all of this
world.

We would like to see disappear wherever possible that
terrible scourge of war, of any kind of discrimination, of terrorism,
international terrorism, drug trafficking. We have not restricted
our conversations to a pre-established agenda. We have extended our
talks even further. It is always good to come to the United States
of America. I believe it is also good to go to Argentina, and that
is why I have invited the President to visit us. Because valuable
experiences are awaiting in Argentina, and this will allow us to make
our links even stronger, the links that are joining Argentina to the
United States.

Mr. President, once again, thank you very much. Thank
you for your gift. He gave me as a gift a basketball, signed by all
the members of the Chicago Bulls. So, thank you.

Q Mr. President, I'd like to ask you about the
bombing. Could the assassination plot against former President Bush
have moved forward without the approval of Saddam Hussein? And why
did the United States not try to hit closer to home for Saddam
Hussein, perhaps his headquarters?

PRESIDENT CLINTON: We believe the evidence clearly
indicates that the bombing operation was authorized by the Iraqi
government. And it is highly unusual, and the experience of our
people -- let me recast that. Our panelists have no experience of
such an operation of that magnitude being authorized other than at
the highest levels. However, it was thought that under international
law and based on the facts of this particular case, that the best
possible target was the target of the intelligence headquarters where
in all probability the operation itself was planned; and that to
damage that headquarters significantly would send the appropriate
message, given the facts of this case.

Q But in your mind, did you think Saddam Hussein
signed off on this?

PRESIDENT CLINTON: I have given you the only answer I
think it's appropriate for me to give you.

Q Mr. President, what do you think you accomplished
with the bombing of Iraq and the loss of innocent lives, the
destruction?

PRESIDENT CLINTON: I think we -- first of all, we
damaged their major intelligence facility quite severely. Secondly,
we made it absolutely clear that we will not tolerate acts of
terrorism or other illegal and dangerous acts. I think it sent a
very important message.

Q We understand there's been an incident over the nofly
zone in southern Iraq today. A USF-4G Wild Weasel launched a
HARM missile against an Iraqi radar installation. What can you tell
us about that incident; and, secondly, what does it suggest to you
that it comes at a time when the Iraqis are still threatening
retaliation for the weekend bombing?

PRESIDENT CLINTON: The standard rules of engagement for
flights in that region are that if radar locks onto our airplanes,
our airplanes are authorized to take action against those
installations. So this has happened a number of times, and I
wouldn't -- based on the facts that I now have, I wouldn't read too
much into it. It's part of the standard rules of engagement.

Q You said during the transition that you could
conceive of a situation where we could have normal relations with
Iraq with Saddam Hussein still in power. Given what's occurred, how
would you now frame your position on this issue?

PRESIDENT CLINTON: What I said, or at least tried to
say in the transition was that I thought we ought to judge every
country based on its conduct. And based on its conduct, I think that
the possibility of normal relations is very difficult to conceive,
not just in this instance, but also in the stubborn refusal of Iraq
to comply with the United Nations resolutions.

Q Mr. President, just now you said that the strike
had damaged the intelligence facility. Yesterday you said it had
crippled the intelligence facility.

PRESIDENT CLINTON: I think it did cripple the
intelligence facility. That was our -- at least the reports that I
received from the intelligence services was that the bombing had --
that 15 of the missiles had hit within just a few feet of where they
were exactly programmed. And, based on what they knew of the
potential for destruction of those missiles, that the facility had
been crippled. Those were the exact words I got from the people who
briefed me about it.

Q Is it possible that you were not briefed correctly,
because Pentagon officials were saying that Saddam has multiple
intelligence facilities and that this was one of three or four and
that, in fact, he would be operational without this facility, and
especially because he relies so heavily on human intelligence, and
none of the people were involved --

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I didn't mean that they wouldn't
have any more intelligence. But I do think the building and whatever
resources are in that building, which is plainly the main building,
was severely damaged, and that's what our intelligence people told
me.

Is there anyone here from Argentina? Yes -- a little
equal opportunity here.

Q President Clinton, did President Menem offer you
specific help to combat terrorism? And do you think you have to put
more guards on President Menem because there was going to be a plot
or something like that from the Arabs?

PRESIDENT CLINTON: Well, we try to always provide
appropriate security to world leaders who come here. President Menem
-- perhaps I should let him speak to this -- but he was very
supportive of the action we took in Iraq and very determined that we
ought to stand together with other civilized nations against
terrorism everywhere.

PRESIDENT MENEM: With more security I would have felt
uncomfortable in the United States. I have a very special philosophy
in life: Nobody would die the day before his pre-established date.
And I rely and trust fully in God. He brought us to this world and
he is to decide the day we leave this world.

With a great amount of security around a head of state
in general, any terrorist activity may be successful; that is why
terrorism has to be fought back without any kind of compassion. They
lack absolutely any kind of compassion since, when they placed the
bomb, they are prepared to destroy the lives of old people and
children. Terrorism is now one of the worst scourges of humanity.

Q Mr. President, the United States speaks constantly
of disarmament and world peace, especially after the fall of the
Berlin Wall. Your government, through the Embassy in Buenos Aires,
insisted on this policy of peace and disarmament. Don't you believe
that the United States has not given an example to follow this course
when bombarding Baghdad as a result of this intelligence information?

PRESIDENT CLINTON: No, I disagree. As a matter of
fact, the United States has been a leader in disarmament. We have
signed significant agreements with first the Soviet Union and now
with Russia trying to reduce our nuclear arsenals. We are working
very hard to reduce the spread of weapons of mass destruction. And I
think what we did last weekend with regard to Iraq is a clear signal
that people ought not to use weapons in illegal ways.

I would remind you that the action I took was in
response to an operation that involved a bomb that, had it exploded
in downtown Kuwait City, had a 400-yard radius of lethal destruction.
So, I think it was the appropriate thing to do.

Q I have a question for you, Mr. Clinton and another
for Mr. Menem.

First, assuming that NAFTA is approved by Congress, when
do you foresee Argentina, or Chile, for that matter negotiating an
agreement with the United States? I'm kind of interested in a
timetable.

And for Mr. Menem, I would like to get more details on
that offer you made yesterday to negotiate between the United States
and Cuba to improve relations between the two countries.

PRESIDENT CLINTON: I would be prepared to discuss
immediately with Argentina, with Chile, with other appropriate
nations the possibility of expanded trade relations along the NAFTA
model. I have long thought that NAFTA should be a model for
embracing all of Latin America's democracies and free market
economies. I have not timetable. I think perhaps President Menem
would have a better view of that but my attitude is we ought to get
on with it. We ought to try to increase the volume and the variety
of trade with the appropriate countries just as quickly as possible.

PRESIDENT MENEM: On this issue, we had already
discussed this with the President, and I have told him that as a
priority so as to be able to start formal talks on the access of
Argentina or any other country in the region to NAFTA, it would be
fundamental to finish the NAFTA agreement, that on the basis of due
legislation, this process should come to its end. If NAFTA has been
passed and enacted during the first months of the next year or the
first of January, only then can we start discussing the incorporation
of Argentina in NAFTA.

And at the same time, we must remember that we are going
through another process of integration within Mercosur, and we have a
commitment with the United States in the four-plus-one agreement as
to the possibility of having a free trade area between these four
countries of Mercosur and the United States. This indication of
coming to understanding will make it possible not only to Argentina
joining NAFTA, but also Mercosur as the result of the NAFTA agreement
coming to its enactment, then the Mercosur countries could perhaps
also be joining NAFTA. This is something that should be discussed
between the three other countries that are members of NAFTA.

Q Reuters Agency said yesterday that you were proposing
to act as a mediator between the United States and Cuba.

PRESIDENT MENEM: As a reply to a question by a
journalist when he asked if I would be prepared in participating in
any kind of negotiations between the United States and Cuba, I
answered: President Bush asked me when we met in Costa Rica for the
100th anniversary of democracy, he asked me to stop over in Nicaragua
to ask Daniel Ortega to respect the results of the elections that
were to be held a short time after in that country, since doubts
existed as to the decision that the people of Daniel Ortega's team
would take on this issue.

I spent more than two hours discussing the subject with
Commander Ortega and he was convinced he would be winning the
elections. And finally after two hours of discussion he said, if
Mrs. Violeta Chamorro wins the elections, I will give her the
government. And if the United States requests it, I am prepared to
discuss the issue with Fidel Castro or with whoever it is necessary.
I would like to see Cuba living in democracy as soon as possible.

Q This is a question for both of you. Have you
discussed -- have you discussed pharmaceutical patents and subsidies
in agriculture? President Menem first and then President Clinton,
please.

PRESIDENT MENEM: We have discussed this, and I have
told President Clinton what I told Mr. Kantor yesterday. This draft
law on patents has been introduced through the Senate to the
Argentine parliament and we are expecting that it will be passed
soon. But the executive power of Argentina has sent this draft law
to parliament.

And on subsidies, this is a subject we discuss
constantly not only with the President of the United States, but also
with the presidents of the European Community countries since they
have taken the more difficult stand on this issue when they are
subsidizing agriculture, damaging countries such as Argentina. You
must not forget that the amount of subsidies is now exceeding $300
billion. It becomes difficult to compete under these circumstances,
and I always tell the people in the United States, the U.S. President
and the Europeans they were the masters in free trade and economic
freedom. It is not understandable that they should insist on these
attitudes that go against the teachings that they sent to the world
at large.

PRESIDENT CLINTON: The answer to your question is, just
as President Menem said, we discussed the patent protection
legislation and I expressed the hope of the United States that it
would pass soon by the legislative body in Argentina. I also, with
regard to agricultural subsidies, pointed out that the United States
had reduced agricultural subsidies unilaterally in 1990, that our
budget reduces them again this year, and that we strongly support the
Blair House Accords which were reached last year to reduce
agricultural subsidies in the Uruguay Round of GATT, and that we are
with Argentina on that.

Also, having grown up in a farming area, I expressed
enormous admiration for the fact that Argentina has the deepest
topsoil anywhere in the world. So, if I were in his position, I
would be taking exactly the same position. With 20 feet of topsoil
he can grow anything and do well.

Yes -- one last question and then we've got to go.

Q Despite what General Powell said, I don't
understand why the United States went after the facility at night,
rather than going after the intelligence facility during the daytime
when the top people were there. And will you take action if the
Iraqis go after the Kurds or the Shi'ites?

PRESIDENT CLINTON: I think we've made it clear to them
what our position is on the second question you asked. The reason we
went at night was quite simply that we wanted to make a strong point.
We wanted to do as much damage to the facility as we could. We
wanted to minimize the loss of human life because of the nature of
what actually happened. I think everyone knows what our military is
capable of doing. What we needed to show them was that we were fully
possessed of the will to do it under these circumstances. And I
think we made -- I think we picked the appropriate target and I think
we did it at the appropriate time under these circumstances.